HC directs govt to take effective steps in 7 days to stop air pollution

Expressing serious concern over the current levels of air pollution in Dhaka, the High Court on Sunday directed the government to take effective measures in seven days to stop air pollution in the capital.

It also ordered the authorities concerned to implement the nine directives issued by this court in February 2020 to stop Dhaka's air pollution and to submit a compliance report before this court by January 23.

The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury delivered the order during hearing of a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) in 2019 seeking necessary directives to control air pollution in Dhaka.

Following the same writ petition, the HC in February, 2020, issued nine directives on the authorities concerned to keep this pollution in check.

The directives are: Covering goods in trucks and other vehicles transporting soil/sand/waste in Dhaka city. Covering soil/sand/cement/stones/construction materials in areas under construction. Sprinkling water on the roads by the city corporation. Ensuring compliance with tender conditions for road/culvert/carpeting/pit works. Seizing vehicles emitting black smoke. Determining the time limit for movement of vehicles as per the Road Transport Act and stop the movement of such vehicles after the expiry of the time limit. Closing illegal brick kilns. Closing all tyre factories operating without environmental licenses. Taking steps by the city corporation to ensure that daily waste bags are filled in markets/shops and their removal.

During hearing on Sunday, writ petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The High Court that the air pollution in Dhaka had reduced to some extent after steps were taken to implement the nine directives issued by this court.

But the air pollution is now at alarming stage as no step is taken to implement the directive, he said.